The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-02-02
MIR. JOSEPH CHILBLUD

MI. Joseph Chilblud-NIr. Joseph
Chilblud you will understand, not John,
the happy, good-hcartcd ne'cr-do we'll
entered Tie hreakfast-ronm on II chilly
autumnal morning, and glanced critic
ally ut tho table laid for tho morning
meal. Yes, 1t was arranged as it should
be and as Mr.. Chilblud always. expected
to find it-spotlcss cloth and china, tho
coffce-urn bubbling and stcaming, the
little silver spirit-stoye boiling the water
ready 70 receive the eggs, napkins prop
crly folded, and finally, the newspaper
tiiu ai.iii 0f lii; easy chair. Everything
being satisfactory, MI. Chilblud crossed
over to the fire, and, his position on the
learthrug causing him to front u mir
ror, he naturally glanced Mt his reflection
therein. a long, broad face, with very
neatly-Lrmmcd whslicrs, no mustachc
to hide Tic wide, thin lips; light, pcnc-
trating eyes, iii ;lquilinc nose, and care
fully-brllShcd dark hair, formed tout
ensemble which, to ono person at least,
WAS altogether pleasing, and that person
was Joseph Cllilblud. 1t may bo said
with truth that Mr.. Cllilblut entertained
Il very high opinion OF himself, both
physically and morally, and il is equally
true that lie had grounds for doing so.
Born in Il somewhat humble position,
he had, by steady perseverance and de-
termination, raised himself until hc
held ut the age of 42, the post Of inspcc-
tor Of elementary schools, with Il salary
of between e400 and $500 per annunl.
And from Doyhood TO manhood his life
had been exemplary, no temptations
having had power to move him from
the paths Of virtue. Whether this was
due to the GOODNESS Of his disposition or
to the severe and extreme rectitudc Of
his conduct it is hard to say, but certain
it is that Mr.. Joseph Chilhlut, Of No. 10
Propricty square, was deemed Il pattern
father, householder, and inspector.
His marriage, too, had been perfect us
stroke Of business and proof OF good
taste. For tho lady whom le llonored
with his hand was pretty. rich and
,'riWulNop'(, and, lDorrOvcv, she tc-
,tUAWt Alter seven y1at$ Df ni9trmony
slin @tla TeercGt iQr hoi husband @nd
'pD Dg his 5'ipcuhpN5 talents, that She
lud dGNgi9i Ia ncE hplirling !ttlc hctt
thuliltnr
Mn lGDlul w#8 Qp th. p5int 0,
opGUjng his watcA Wh,l AiiS .hilDlul
-ALolCd the 1Ooill. ZIG replaced IL III lis
pocket and took his seat ut the table.
while his scrntn!2ing eye involuntarily
turned to survey his wife's gown. OBJ
serving that it was in her usual correct
;aste, he gravcly deposited the eggs in
Tho boiling water and placed his watch
OH the table to mark the time.
"Joseph," said Mrs. Chilblud, while
The meal was proceeding, II wish you
would look at Ethel before you 60 out;
She seems a triflc fcycrish."
81 suppose she has been running and
ovcr-hcating herself again." said the
gentleman in q voice which was q nat,l-
raj concomitant Of his whole person
clear, cold, and searching ''I told
Sarah that for the next olfense, Of the
sort sho would receive her dismissal;
.ho children must not DO permitted to
Dvertire themselves with exercise"
''No; it is not that, am afraid it is
Ethel's own fault. She will try to learn
Arthur's lessons, though DIR. Sinclair,
rs you know, strictly forbade her touch
ing book for another year at least.
He said: Give her plenty Of exercise
and play, but no lessons until she is 5.
And yet sho knows the whole alphabet,
and can read little wordsl" Mrs. Chl-
olut's face was q mixture Of dismay and
maturnal pride in her child's capacity.
"Do you use your authority in the
matter, my dear?''
II cndeavor to, but it is impossible to
.ell how or when she picks up her knowl-
edge. And she asks me some strange
questions some times; scarcely know
how to answer hor."
Mr.. Chilblud pushed back his chair,
and took up his former position on the
hearth rug-only with his back to the
fire this time. A little frown OF uncasi-
ness marred the customary serenity Of
his aspect.
"Marian, /" llc said, after a lcngthcned
pause, 1--WE shall hayo to be extremely
careful with Ethel. The child is pre-
ternaturally quick, her brain power pre-
pondcratcs unduly over tho fragility Of
her body. She must bo kept back; as
Sinclair says, nothing must bo allowed
to excite tho activity Of tho mind, but
every aid given to strengthening the
delicate little frame. How is her appc-
tito now?"
Wondcrfully good; in fact, as a rule,
she appears to be in very fair health, /
sometimes wonder IL the constant sur
veillance we exert is not us harmful as
allowing her to learn what She can by
hcrSelf.n
rs "A[y dear Marian, in IL case Of this
description a medical man must be the
judge; and my own opinion entirely
comedies with that expressed by Sin
clair We must not allow Ethcls intel
lcct to bc forced, OF grave consequences
may cnsuc. With Arthur it is entirely
Il ffnrnnt 10 iS 0G q nuiaf unavoidable